Citizens' Unity Commission

Citizens’ Unity Commission Monthly Meeting Minutes Thursday, April 8, 2021 ~ 6:00 pm-8:00pm Ruppert Sargent Building, 1 Franklin Street, Hampton, VA Attendance: Willie C. Anderson, Katrina Bailey, Alice Capehart, Jennifer Evans, Whalan McDew, Malik Perry, Erica Spencer, Ellen Velissarios, Chris Grady Absent: Justin Carolina, Trevor Hudson, Tamika Lett (Absent Notified), Luretta Ray, Joiecel Riviera, Mei Stukes (Absent Notified), Shuntay Tarver (Absent Notified), Mary Wallace, Barbara Washer, Steven Wendell (Absent Notified), Assistant City Manager Steven D. Bond (Absent Notified) Staff: Latiesha Handie (Executive Director) Imara Gabe Diaz (Program Coordinator) Call to Order – Latiesha Handie, Executive Director 6:03 pm Roll Call – Latiesha Handie Action Items Item 1: Welcome and Introductions – Roll Call  Latiesha D. Handie, CUC Executive Director, acknowledged that this is the commissions 1st regularly scheduled meeting since November and since there is not a quorum of commissioners present, several items will be deferred. Item 2: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes 11-16-2020  Due to a quorum not met, approval of meeting minutes have been deferred until the next scheduled meeting. Old Business  Latiesha announced that the discussion of bylaws will be deferred. Reappointments of commissioners has been placed on hold until further guidance from Council. She stated that if your appointment is scheduled to end, and you desire to remain on the commission, you may do so. New Business Item 1: Program Evaluation Update  Hampton Diversity College: Latiesha reported that HDC has resumed on a virtual platform and that Level II has just wrapped up today with 20 participants. The next Level I offering will be on April 22nd from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Level III classes will begin April 27th. All are encouraged to sign up if you haven’t already been a part of the program. 1 Item 2: D.E.I. Plan  Latiesha reported that in partnership with Hampton’s Information Technology team, Human Resources, and the training manager from the City Manager’s office, CUC has introduced a city wide Health Equity Initiative program. This program is to include a 5 module, virtual interactive learning experience of our collective values and language to over 2492 city employees. The trainings focused on the concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural competency and unity in the workplace and beyond. In addition, a collective impact statement was crafted by the entire Executive Management Team with a video to communicate their commitment to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.  Latiesha announced that in January the city has adopted the state’s One Virginia Plan to address 5 core areas with strategic goals and outcomes to include infrastructure, training in education for city employees, continuing community engagement, culture & climate and relations. She explained that the department’s original mission was on healthy race relations, however the mission has since shifted to equity work with the recent involvement in setting up vaccination clinics and scheduling appointments for residents in vulnerable populations. Latiesha thanked those commissioners who have helped in making phone calls and scheduling over 1800 appointments. Links will be sent out to allow residents to register themselves in order to reach a broader audience. Item 3: Assessing needs and available Commissioners  Latiesha Handie expressed the need to offer a health fair on site to elevated risk populations with the intent to solicit those most in need of services. Understanding that the majority of participants to such events are already considered healthy. Some of the challenges identified were how to attract participation with fun activities, education information, and vaccines all while observing social distancing as much as possible and still not appearing as a city wide special event. The idea is to try and duplicate an already existing CUC program, Movie Talks. In partnership with Hampton Redevelopment Housing Authority, 5 communities have been identified to host community events on the site of their multi-family properties. Latiesha opened the floor for suggestions from the Commission as to who should be partners/vendors at the 5 locations. Volunteers needed as well has community organizations and follow up services. The following suggestions were mentioned and scribed on flip chart for all view and contribute: o Kick off at Y.H. Thomas Community Center set for May 8th o Human Services family specialist to discuss benefit expansion o Shell Road Fest collaboration o Partner with Hampton Roads Made to Flourish, Economic Development, Workforce One Center and Y.H. Thomas staff on an existing event “Community Explosions”. Erica Spencer will follow up. o Suggestion made to host the event from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm for optimal participation o Looking to find a sponsor to obtain the movie license o The use of pool noodles on the ground to create “human parking lots” for social distancing during the viewing of the movie o Screens will need to be rented in order to view the movie during the daytime o Volunteers for packing swag bags 2  o Potential partnership with TNCC’s Social Justice & Societal Change Committee. Host a vendor booth for admission recruitment and certificate programs and the Fast Forward program with Workforce Development. Katrina Bailey will follow up. o Amazon job opportunities available onsite with assistance in filling out applications. 200 full time, 200 part time, 200 driver positions will be available at the Hampton location. (24hr advance application opportunity) Erica Spencer will follow up. o Public transportation assistance for employment commuting. Erica Spencer will follow up. o 35 Chromebooks available from Hampton City Schools. Erica Spencer o Education on extending housing vouchers while obtaining employment. Follow up with Aru at HRHA. o Programs for 1st time homebuyers and tax relief for seniors. Malik Perry will follow up. o Information and services for returning citizen and Restoration of Rights. Whalan McDew will follow up. o Retina eye screenings with EVMS. Follow up with Ishmeel Meeks o Health Screenings with Anthem Community Outreach team. Erica Spencer will follow up o Hampton University Mobile Clinic. Latiesha will follow up with Dr. Penn Marshall o Potential event name “Take A Shot at Health” o Raffles and giveaways. Erica Spencer will solicit small businesses for gift cards o Mental health coping skills, information table. Ellen Velissarios to follow up. o Be clear to communicate the capacity of the events. o Potential to offer vaccines on site with the understanding that we would need EMS to help monitor individuals after receiving the shot. o New Covenant Church to provide transportation to the events. Erica Spencer to follow up. o Partner with Patient Advocate Foundation – Financial assistance for Covid relief. Malik Perry will follow up with Shanta Chambers. o Traffic pattern and parking assistance provided by Sgt. Brian Snyder - HPD  PPE packing – An online sign up form will be created to solicit volunteers to help pack swag bags with face masks, hand sanitizer, thermometers and emergency preparedness supplies and information. Packing will take place at Y.H. Thomas Community Center with individual packing stations to ensure social distancing. Date TBD pending arrival of supplies.  A sign up for community champions for marketing & messaging, event greeters and day of support will be sent out at a later date.  Planning meeting for next steps set for April 29th Go-Backs Community outreach dates and volunteer registration sign up form will be sent to all Commissioners. Flyer for the community outreach event will be crafted, while still awaiting confirmation from potential partners. Latiesha Handie will provide links to upcoming vaccine clinics in Hampton via email to all Commissioners. April 9th, 14th & 15th. Gabe Diaz added that although the vaccine is being offered to residents outside of Hampton, be mindful that they are encouraged to receive their 2nd dose from the same provider (unless you have received the J&J/Janssen vaccine). 3 Announcements Whalan McDew announced that in two weeks, the Do Gooders of Hampton Roads is hosting a community clean up at Bassett Cemetery. Volunteers, water and snacks needed. Latiesha announced that April is Sexual Assault Survivor Month and The Center for Sexual Survivors – Newport News is hosting a fundraising event April 10th, “Walk in Their Shoes”. The event will be available on Facebook & YouTube. Ellen Velissarios announced that Hampton Baptist in downtown Hampton is hosting a virtual lecture series beginning Thursday, April 11th at 7:00PM with Hampton University Assistant Professor Robert Watson on the topic of Scientific & Systematic Racism. More information will be shared on the CUC Facebook and Hampton Baptist Church about how to connect and submit questions prior to the event. Erica Spencer announced that the Urgency of Now Symposium hosted by the Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities begins Wednesday, April 10th Adjourned 7:14 pm Next Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, May 23, 2020, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm 4